Killing of sex workers was an act of revenge, court hears

Sifiso Mkhwanazi’s father alleges that the 21-year-old killed six sex workers as an act of revenge.

According to the dad, Mark Khumalo, Mkhwanazi confessed to the killings after spending 10 months behind bars for the alleged rape of another Zimbabwean sex worker, in a case that is also before the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge.

Mkwanazi initially confessed to the crime, but later accused his father of having forced the admission out of him.

Despite this however, the court has ruled that the confession will be allowed as evidence following a trial-within-a-trial over its admissibility.

The high court found that Mkhwanazi’s evidence was given freely and voluntarily, thus allowing it to be submitted by the state as evidence.

Mkhwanazi faces a range of charges, including seven counts of rape and six counts of murder.

The murder charges relate to the killing of six sex workers whose decomposed bodies were discovered at his father’s workshop in Johannesburg.

His defence lawyer, Vuyolwethu Maqetuka, has however asked the court to be cautious of his father’s evidence, saying it’s been littered with inconsistencies.

The murder trial resumes on Monday with the 21-year-old’s father back on the witness stand. Written by Naomi Kobbie